Selective printing apparatus



W. RITZERFELD ET AL SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Nov. 18, `1958 FiledNov. 5. 195e 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 *All livr al@ mw @Nk Nov. 18, 1958 w.RITZERFELD ETAL 2,860,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov.18, 1958 w. RrrzERFELD ET AL 2,860,574

sELEcTrvE PRINTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-$116621'l 3 Filed Nov. 5, 1956 AAASELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NOV 18,1958 w. RrrzERjFELD Er'rAL 2,860,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5 1956 e sheetssheet 5 Nom 18,1958y W'. RWZERFELD ET AL 2,850,574

SELECTIVE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Unite2,860 ,57 4 SELECTIVEPRINTING APPARATUS Wilhelm RitzertelmBerlin-Dahlem, and Gerhard `-Ritzerfeldrerlin-Grunewald, Germany Thepresent invention refers` to a selective printing apparatus.

More particularly, `the present invention refers to the type of printingor duplicating apparatus wherein various portions of a printing form maybe selected' and printed next to each other on a sheet even though theseprinting .portions are spaced from each other on the printing form andhave additional printing portions located therebetween.

In this type of apparatus aprinting form or duplicating master sheet isused which carriesthe text in-the form `of a reproduciblemirror-inverted copy from which the reproduction is effected on`moistened` sheets. ARe-inking the printing form is done in the mannerknown from the raised form or the stencil reproduction process or byelectrical means.

One of the objects of the `present invention isto provide a printingkapparatus of this type of` utmostexibility with respect to thecapability of printingselected Aportions of a printed form.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide a printingapparatus capable of selectively reproducing smaller or larger portionsof `theprinted form.

Still another object of the present inventionis to .provide a printingapparatus capable `of reproducingthe whole content of the printing formas well `as selected portions thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for anelectrical control mechanism` for. setting the apparatus forreproduction of the selected portions to be reproduced.

It is also an` object of the present invention ,to provide a structurecapable of accomplishing all ofthel above objects and at the same timecomposed of simpleand rruggedly constructed elements Whichare veryreliable. in

operation. r

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly comprises aprinting apparatusincludinga printing roll carried for rotation inaframe and carrying a `printing form, a counter roll carried in the framefor movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to theprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between these rolls wheneverthe counter roll is moved into operative position by electrical movingmeans controlled by a control mechanism which comprises actuatingmembers which are selectively brought into a position which results inengagement with switch means controlling the electrical moving means forthe counter roll.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the actuating membersmentioned above are carried in `a rotary circular support revolvingsimultaneously with the printing roll. A stationary circular supportmember carries a number of control members which serve to move aselected number of the actuating members into an operating position forengagement with `the switch means.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the

States Patent O n ice actuating members are carried by a stationarysupport while the switch means are mounted on a rotary support revolvingtogether with the printing drum. By moving .the actuating members intotheir operative positions se- Atransverse to that of the printing roll,and a set of control members is carried by a stationary part of theapparatus in such a manner that by operating any one of the controlmembers a corresponding actuating member is brought into operativeposition in which it engages a switch means mounted stationarily in theapparatus.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood fromthe following description of specific embodimentswhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a partly sectional side elevation of an apparatus according tothe present invention, one Wall of the apparatus being omitted in orderto show the structure and operative parts behind this wall more clearly,the section being taken along line I-I of Fig. `2,

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken `along line II-II of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a. partly sectional View of another embodiment of theinvention showing the apparatusin a similar way as Fig. l, the sectiontaken along line III-III of Fig. 4,

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line IV- 1V of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a partly sectional view of still another embodiment of theinvention, the section being taken along line V-V of Fig. 6,

Fig. 6 is a partly sectional elevation of certain parts of the apparatusaccording to Fig. 5, the section being taken along line AB of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 shows another detail of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6viewed in direction of arrow C in Fig. 6,

and

Fig. 8 shows certain details of the drive mechanism in an alternativeconstruction as compared with the drive means shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2, a printing roll 1 with a printing form 2attached thereto is supported by a shaft 3 and is driven from a motor,not shown, by means of sprockets 4and 5, chain 6, pulley 7 and belt 8.The shaft 3 of the printing roll 1 is supported in a frame cornprisingwalls A and A'.

A sheet 21 may be fed between feeding rollers 22 and 23 into the bightbetween the printing roll 1 and a counter roll 10. This counter roll 10is movable into and out of an operative position in close proximity tollever mechanism including the two levers 16 and 17 is interposedbetween the shaft 27 of counter roll 10 and a stationary pivot 15mounted iu the frame A. The two toggle members 16 and 17 are linkedtogether at 18. A

push rod 49 is attached at one end to the pivot 18 and` at the other endto a pivot 50 mounted in the armature 66 of solenoid 28. Whenever thesolenoid 28 is energized, armature 66 and the rod 49 are pushed in thedirection of arrow X with the etect that the toggle memthe counter rollagainst sheet 21 and form 2, an eccentric bearing member A is interposedbetween pivot 15 and toggle member 16. This member 15A can be rotatedaround pivot 15 by means of lever 13 actuated by a partly shownactuating rod 12. If member 13 is turned around pivot 15 by means of rod12 the excenter 15a will correspondingly change the center of rotationof toggle member 16.

It is evident from the above that the counter roll 1li will only pressthe sheet 21 against the form 2, and accordingly, an impression or areproduction of any portion of form 2 on sheet'21 will only be produced,if, and as long as, the Vsolenoid 28 is .energized and theabovedescribed electrical moving means are actuated.

The preceding description refers to parts which are provided in allembodiments shown in the drawings.

In order to reproduce on sheet 21 during a rotation of the printing roll1 one or several or all of the various portions Z1, Z2, Z3, etc. of theform 2, a control mechanism is provided which permits to preset theoperation of the apparatus accordingly.

A normally open switch 165 is attached to a stationary supportingelement carried by the frame A. This switch is connected by wires 100,partly shown in the drawing, to the solenoid 28 and to a source ofelectric energy, not shown.

The switch 165 is surrounded by a stationary circular support 154attached to frame A. The switch 165 is also surrounded by a rotarysupporting element 155 which rotates around an axle 157 substantiallyconcentric with the stationary circular support 154.

VThe stationary circular support 154 includes a keyboard comprising anumber of control elements 152 indexed T2, T3, T4, etc. which arerespectively associated vwith corresponding portions, Z2, Z3, Z4 etc.mentioned above. Each one of the control elements 152 mainly consists ofa push rod radially movable in the circular support154, with an indexedbutton on the outside to be manually operated and with an end piece atthe inner end intended to be brought into operative contact with theactuating members 156 described below. Each of the control elements 152.is provided with a spring 153 which serves to return each such element152 into its inoperative position shown in the drawing after it has beenoperated as will be described below.

The rotary supportingrelement 155 which is also of circular shape, isdriven from the shaft 3 of the printing roll 2 by means of a chain 160which passes over a chain sprocket'159 on shaft 3 and over acorresponding sprocket 158 on shaft 157. Since sprockets 158 and 159 areshown to have equal diameters, the supporting element 155 will run insynchronism with the printing drum 2.

The rotary supporting element 155 is provided with a number of actuatingmembers 156 having the form of pins with a flat head at either end. Theyare radially disposed and movable in radial direction inwardly oroutwardly. Members 156 are angularly spaced from each other at the sameangular intervals as the above described control elements 152.Therefore, when the machine is at a standstill, the rotary supportingelement 155 will be in a position in which every one of the actuatingmembers 156 is radially in line with a corresponding control element 152of the stationary supporting element 154.

Whenever anyone of the control elements 152 is manually pushed inwardlyin this position of the machine, then the corresponding actuating memberor pin 156 will be moved into its inner operative position. For example,in Fig. 1 three of the actuating members 156 are shown 4 as moved intothis operative position because previously the control elements markedT4, T7 and T10 have been manually operated for this purpose. Thereforein the following operational cycle of the machine only the portions Z4,Z7 and Z10 of the printing form 2 will be reproduced on the sheet 21moved through the cycle of operation.

As shown in Fig. 2 with greater clarity disengageable locking means areprovided for holding an actuating member 156 in its operative orinoperative position, respectively, during rotation of the rotarysupporting element 155. The locking means consists mainly of a smallball 161 backed by a spring 162 so that this ball 161 will snap intocorresponding grooves of the member 156 in either of the operative orinoperative positions thereof.

It is evident that in operation the inner tips of the actuating membersor pins 156, when placed in their operative position, will travel withelement on a circular path around the axis of rotation determined byshaft 157.

The switch 165 is provided with a resilient lever 163 carrying at itsend a roller 164 which projects slightly into the above-mentionedcircular path. Therefore, after the actuating members 156 as shown inFig. l have been set into their operative position, their tips willduring the rotation along said circular path engage the roller 164 Y andthereby in passing temporarily close the switch 165.

Consequently, with every passage of one of the actuating members 156 amovement of counter roll 10 in the direction of arrow Z will be caused.This means that on sheet 21 an impression of a portion of form 2corresponding to the selected control element 152 used for setting thecorresponding actuating member 156 is produced.

Whenever it may be desired in the further operation of the apparatuswith the same printing form to eliminate the reproduction of certainportions of form 2 that have ,been printed previously according to thesetting of control elements 152 and actuating members 156, a releasemeans is used for returning the actuating members 156 into theirinoperative position. As shown in Figs. l and l2, the release meanscomprises al lever 166 turnable about a pivot 166A mounted on the frameA. This lever 166 is adapted to swing between two extreme positionsdefined by the stop pins 169 and 170 attached to the frame A'. The outerend of lever 166 carries a pin 167 which projects through acorresponding opening in the wall A of the frame so that the lever 166can be manually operated from the outside of the apparatus. Whenever thelever 166 is moved into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 thenduring a rotation of the rotary supporting element 155 it will, byprojecting into the path of the actuating members 156, push thoseactuating members which are in operative position back into theirinoperative positions. If, however, the lever 166 is swung in theopposite direction into the position shown in dotted lines the releasemeans is in inoperative position. A spring 168 attached to a portion ofthe frame A and to the inner end of pin 167 serves to hold the lever 166in either one of its two positions.

In certain cases it may be desirable to print the entire content of theform 2 without omitting any portions thereof. For this purpose a switchlocking means is provided which comprises a cam 173 arranged on theframe A in close proximity and engagement with the spring lever 163which actuates the switch 165. By turning this cam 173 from the outsideinto a position opposite to the one shown in Fig. 1, the roller 164 willbe moved out of its regular position which projects into the circularpath of the actuating members 156 and the resilient member 163 will bepressed so as to actuate the switch 156 and to hold it in its closedposition. Therefore, as long as the switch is in closed position, thesolenoid 28 will be permanently energized and consequently the counterroll 10 will be held pressed by the electrical moving means againstsheet 21 and form 2 of the printing roll 1 so that the entire content ofthe form 2 will be reproduced in one operational cycle of the apparatus.

Finally, in certain cases it may be desirable to reproduce from the form2 not only selected small portions as Z2, Z3, Z4 etc. but a largerportion Z1, for instance a letter head. For this purpose an additionalcontrol member 171 marked T1, otherwise similar to the control elements152 described above is arranged separately on the stationary supportingelement 154. Correspondingly on the rotary supporting element 155 anactuating member 172 is arranged radially in line with the controlelement 171 in the position shown. This member 172 covers a widerangular area than the inner tips of the actuating members 156.Therefore, during the operative rotation of the supporting element 155the member 172 will maintain the switch 165 closed for a correspondinglylonger period and therefore cause the counter roll pin to engage thesheet 21 and the form 2 during a period as required for reproducing thewider portion Z1 of the form 2.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, showing another ernbodiment of theinvention, a stationary supporting element 182 is attached to the frameA'. This element 182 is provided with a number of actuating members 181having indicia T1, T2, T3 etc. and being angularly spaced from eachother at uniform intervals. Members 181 are radially movable in the wallof the supporting element 182. The outer ends of the actuating members181 are provided with key bottoms so that the whole arrangement forms akeyboard for the operation of the apparatus. The inner tips 185 of theactuating members 181 project, in their operative position, into thecircular path of a portion 186 of a switch means described below.

A rotary supporting element 190A is mounted on a shaft 157 which issupported by the wall A of the frame. This shaft 157 constitutes theaxis of rotation of element 199A and is located in the center of thecircular stationary supporting element 182. This rotary supportingelement 198A is driven from the shaft 3 of the printing roll 2 by meansof sprockets 187 on shaft 3 and 188 on shaft 157 and by a chain 189.Since the diameters of the sprockets 187 and 188 are shown of equal sizethe rotary supporting element 198 will turn in synchronism with theprinting roll 2.

The rotary supporting element 190A preferably made of insulatingmaterial carries a normally open switch 198 which is equipped with aresilient member 186A, the end of which is pro-vided with a roller orsimilar member 186. This member 186 travels during the rotation ofelement 198A on a circular path into which the tips 185 of the actuatingmembers 181 project as stated above.

The switch 198 is connected by wires 180A to two contact rings 191 and192. On the frame A two stationary contacts 193 and 194 are mounted,insulated from each other, which contacts resiliently and continuouslybear on the corresponding rings 191 and 192, respectively. Leads 188shown partly in Fig. 3, connect the stationary contacts 193 and 194 withsolenoid 28 and with a source of electric energy, not shown.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is similar to the onedescribed above with reference to Fig. l. When certain portions of theform 2 are to be selected for reproduction the corresponding actuatingmembers 181 are manually pushed inward in radial direction. ln theexample illustrated, the members 181 having the designation T5, T8, andT11 are moved into their operative position. Consequently, when in anoperational cycle the member 186 of the switch 190 travels on itscircular path it will consecutively be engaged by the above mentionedactuating members T5, T8 and T11, and `every time this engagement takesplace ,the switch 190 will be closed and thereby send an electricimpulse through the above described leads and contacts into the solenoid28 of the electrical moving means so that the `counter roll 10 isadvanced in the particular position of the printing roll 1 intoengagement with the sheet 21 so as to produce thereon a reproduction ofthose portions of the printing form 2 which were selected by the abovedescribed setting of the actuating members 181. 1n the present examplethe portions Z5, Z8, and Z11 will be printed on sheet 21.

Also in this example, the actuating members 181 are disengageably heldin their operative or inoperative positiens, respectively, by a lockmeans comprising a small ball 183 supported by a spring 184 .and adaptedto engage corresponding grooves of the member 181.

For producing a certain larger portion of the form 2 like the onedesignated Z1, a special actuating member 196, marked T1, is provided inproper position on the stationary supporting element 182 and is providedwith a segment piece 197 which also projects into the circular path of186 for engagement with, and for actuating, the switch 1% during alonger period determined by the circumferential length of segment 197.

Release means are provided for returning the actuating members 181 fromtheir operative position into their inoperative position, respectively.These release means comprise a turnable cam member 19S which is mountedon the rotary supporting element 190A. When in the position sho-wn inFig. 3 it will during its rotation with the rotary element 198A strikethe tips 185 of those actuating members 181 which were set in operativeposition and push them back into their inoperative position. Whenever itis desired to maintain the position of the actuating members 181unchanged as set, the cam member 195 may be tilted out of its shownposition against the action `of spring A into an inoperative position inwhich it does not engage the tips 185 or the segment 197 during therotation.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8 which illustrate a further embodiment ofthe invention, a stationary supporting element 288 is attached to framepart A at an angle of 90. This supporting element 208 is provided with aset of control elements 289 arranged on a circular arc the center ofwhich is the axis of rotation 'of the shaft 203. This shaft is supportedby bearings 203A which are mounted also on frame A, A. One end of theshaft 283 carries a bevel gear 202 which is held in engagement with acorresponding bevel gear 281 mounted `on shaft 3 of the printing roll 1.On another porti-on of shaft 283 a rotary supporting element 28e isarranged so that the rotation of the printing rolll 1 is transmittedthrough the means described to this rotary supporting element 204. Thesupporting element 204 is provided with a set `of actuating members inthe form of pins 285 Which are arranged on a circular arc of the sameradius as the previously mentioned circular arc of the control elements289. The control elements 289 as well as the actuating members 285 arear1gularl3l spaced one from the other by the same angular intervals.Therefore in an initial position of the rotary supporting ele-ment 284with respect to the stationary supporting element 288 the controlelements 289 will be exactly in line with their corresponding actuatingmembers 285. Each control element 289 is provid-ed with a spring 218which serves to return this element 289 into its inoperative positionafter it has been pushed inwardly for moving the corresponding actuatingmember 285.

Each one of the .actuating members 295 is provided with disengageablelocking means comprising a ball 286 supported by a spring 287 andadapted to engage corresponding grooves in the pin 285. In this mannerthe actuating member or pin 285 is held in its operative and inoperativepositions, respectively.

It is evident that during the rotation of the supporting element 284 theprojecting tips 211 of the actuating members 285, when in theiroperative position, travel on a circular path around the above mentionedaxis of rotation determined by the shaft 203.

On a'stationary support 212A attached to the frame A', a switch 212 ismounted with a sensing part projecting into the above mentioned circularpath of the tips 211. Therefore, in the course of the rotation of therotary supporting element 204 and the actuating members 205, the tips211 will strike the sensing part of switch 212 and therefore move thisswitch into its closed position so that in this manner the solenoid 28is energized during the period during which the particular tip 211 keepsswitch 212 in closed position. During this period the counter r-oll willbe advanced and held against the sheet 21 to press the same against theform 2 so that a certain portion of the form 2 will be reproduced onsheet 21. By selectively moving the actuating members 205 into theirrespective operative positions any selected portion Z1, Z2, Z3 etc. ofthe form 2 can be reproduced in this manner by the aparatus of thepresent invention.

While in Fig. 5 a connection between the drive shaft 3.of the printingroll 1 and shaft 203 has been shown as comprising a pair of bevel gears201 and 202, Fig. 8 illustrates an alternative in which case on shaft203 a worm wheel 231 is mounted and a corresponding worm gear 230 ismounted on shaft 3 of printing roll 1.

Release means are provided for moving the actuating members 205 whenevernecessary, from their operative positions back into their inoperativepositions. For this purpose a control lever 213 is mounted on astationary pivot pin 215 outside the area occupied by the rotarysupporting element 204. The control lever 213 is provided at its outerend with a beveled portion 214 which, when the lever is swung into itsoperative position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and determined by stoppin 217, engages the tip 211 of the actuating members 205 as they passby on their circular paths. In this manner pins 205 are forced back intotheir inoperative position. Whenever it is desired to repeat .a printingoperation in the same manner as before by selectively setting certainactuating members 205, then the control lever 213 may be swung into itsopposite and inoperative position shown in broken lines in Fig. 6 anddetermined by stop pin 218 so that the beveled portion 214 will notproject int-o the circular path of the tips 211. A spring 216 serves tohold the lever 213 in its operative and inoperative positions,respectively.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 an additional rotary control member is illustratedwhich serves to move under certain conditions a selected actuatingmember into its operative position independently of the action of thecontrol elements 209.

This rotary control member comprises an arm 219 extending in radialdirection from the shaft 203. The outer end of this arm 219 is providedwith a tiltable engaging member 220 which during a rotation of arm 219around the axis of shaft 203 is adapted to engage the outer end of anyactuating member 205. Therefore the arm 219 extends into the spacebetween the stationary support 208 and the rotary supporting element204. The arm 219 is attached to a ratchet wheel 221 which is turnablearound shaft 203 and not attached to the supporting element 204. Anextension of ratchet wheel 221 projects through a suitable opening ofsupport 208 outwardly where it carries a hand wheel 228. By means ofthis hand wheel the ratchet wheel 221 can be set in any desired positionwith respect to the member 204. A spring 222 is interposed between theratchet wheel 221 and the shaft 203. One end of that spring is fixed tothe shaft 203 while the other end is fixed to the ratchet wheel 221.Therefore the positioning of the ratchet wheel 221 is done against theaction of this spring 222.

Turnable about a pivot 225 mounted on the rotary supporting element 204are two pawls. One pawl 223 is a holding pawl and engages the teeth 221Aof the ratchet 221 and is held in engagement therewith by a spring 226.The other pawl 224 serves to control the stepwise movement of theratchet 221 in direction opposite to the direction of rotation of thesupporting element 204, whenever the holding pawl 223 is moved out ofengagement with the teeth 221A. The step-controlling pawl 224 is held bya spring 227 out of engagement with the teeth 221A unless pushed intoengagement by the means described below.

Two control pins 229 are mounted in an extension of frame A or of thestationary support 208. These control pins 229 are movable insubstantially radial direction with respect to shaft 203 in and out ofoperative positions. The pins 229 are provided with return springs 229Aand with disengageable locking means including balls 229B which arespring supported for engagement of corresponding grooves in the pins 229so that the pins will be held in their operative and inoperativepositions, respectively. The pins 229 project radially into the circularpath travelled by the pawls 223 and 224, respectively.

The turnable end piece 220 of the arm 219, as shown in detail in Fig. 7which is a view in direction of the arrow C of Fig. 6, is turnablearound a pivot pin 220B against action of a spring 220A, both attachedto the arm 219. However, the piece 220 has an extension which preventsit from swinging in direction of arow V under the action of the spring220A beyond the position shown. On the other hand, the piece 220 is freeto move against the spring action in direction of the arrow W.

By means of the hand knob 228, the arm 219 and with it the ratchet wheel221 may be turned in the direction of arrow S without interference withthe holding pawl 224. Also the end piece 220 will not interfere with, oract on, the actuating members 205 because the piece 220 can tilt in thedirection of arrow W.

After the ratchet wheel 221 and arm 219 have been set for a certainposition with respect to anyone of the actuating members 205 and one orboth of the pins 229 have been pushed inwardly into their operativepositions, almost at the end of the rotational movement of thesupporting element 204 during one operational cycle of the apparatus,both the pawls 221 and 224 will be engaged by the outer ends of the pins229 so that the arm 219 will perform under the action of spring 222 astep-wise movement togetherwith ratchet 221 in the direction of arrow T.By doing this the end piece 220 with its beveled corner surface willpass over the next adjoining pin 205, force it from its inoperativeposition into its operative position and stop in the gap between thispin and the next following pin 205.

In this manner the just described rotary control member may be used forreproducing in a following cycle of rotation a portion of the form 2which has not been reproduced in the previous operational cycle, withouta new setting of the actuating members by means of the control elements209 being required. For example, if in one operational cycle theactuating member 205 for the portion Z5 of the form 2 has been set whilethe next following actuating member 205 for the portion Z6 has not beenset, then in the next following operational cycle the portion Z6 will beproduced in addition to the portion Z5 because the properly set arm 219with its end piece 220 will at the conclusion of the first operationalcycle make one step forward and push the actuating member 205 for theportion Z6 into operative position. lt is to be noted that after everystep of the members 219 and 220 the latter stops in a position betweentwo consecutive actuatingmembers 205.

If several, for instance two pins 229 have been moved into operativeposition, then through the setting of these two control pins 229 adouble automatic shift of two steps of the control arm 219 is obtained.In the same manner a greater number of control pins 229 may be providedin which case a corresponding number of steps of the control arm 219 anda corresponding number of portions additionally reproduced from form 2can be obtained. If a number of consecutive portions or lines arereproduced from the form 2, a suitable setting of the control pin 229for the ratchet and pawl mechanism automatically causes the control arm219 to set the actuating members 205 for the next following portions orlines of the form 2 to be reproduced. The setting may be made also insuch a manner that e. g. single lines are printed and the stepwiseshifting is set for two-line steps so that `in this case only everysecond line is reproduced. However, the arrangement may also be made insuch a manner that for instance if a reproduction of several lines hasbeen made and if the control pins 229 are correspondingly set, it is notnecessary for the purpose of repeating the multiline setting to set thepins for the next following lines manually. The control arm 219 movingforward automatically will automatically move the actuating members 205according to their setting into operative position without the necessityof setting these actuating members every time by manual operation.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofduplicating or printing machines differing from the types describedabove.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in aprinting apparatus for selective reproduction, it is not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; 'a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a firstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being movable relative to saidiirst supporting element; a set of actuating members mounted on one ofsaid supporting elements each actuating member being movable between aninoperative position and an operative position and adapted to bemanually shifted between said positions, said actuating members in saidoperative position being located along a predetermined path, each ofsaid actuating members being associated with a portion of said printingform; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supportingelement and projecting into said predetermined path, said switch memberbeing movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to saidcircuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switchmember in said operative position during the movement of said secondsupporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member withsaid electric moving means so that said electric moving means move saidcounter roll to said operating position Whenever said switch member ismoved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said second supporting elementfor moving the latter in timed relation with said printing roll wherebyselected portions of said printing form corresponding to selectedactuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passingbetween said rolls. i

`2. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by ysaid frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; la counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a firstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis ofrotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of actuatingmembers mounted on one Vof said supporting elements, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position and an operativeposition and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidsecond supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switchmember mounted on the other supporting element and projecting into saidcircular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closingposition and being moved to said circuit closing position by saidactuating members in said operative position engaging said switch memberduring the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuitmeans connecting said switch member with said electric moving means sothat said electric moving means move said counter roll to said operatingposition whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closingposition; and drive means operatively connected to said printing rolland to said second supporting element for moving the same in timedrelation whereby selected portions of said printing form correspondingto selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on asheet passing between said rolls.

3. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formove- `ment to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a irstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis ofrotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of angularlyspaced actuating members mounted on one of said supporting elements,each actuating member being movable between an inoperative position andan operative position, said actuating members in said operative positionbeing located along a circular path having the center thereof in saidaxis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of saidactuating members being associated with a portion of said printing formand including manually operated means for effecting movement thereofbetween said positions; a normally open switch member mounted on theother supporting element and projecting into said circular path, saidswitch member being movable to a `circuit closing position and beingmoved to said circuit tion; and drive means operatively connected tosaid printing roll and to said second supporting element for ,moving thesame in timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions areprinted on a sheet passing between said rolls.

4. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheetpassing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a rstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis ofrotation relative to said rst supporting element; a set of actuatingmembers mounted on one of said supporting elements, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position Vand an operativeposition, said actuating members in said operative position beinglocated along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis ofrotation of said second supporting element, each of said actuatingmembers being associated with a portion of said printing form; anormally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element andincluding resilient actuating means projecting into said circular path,said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and beingmoved to said circuit closing position by said resilient actuating meansengaged and operated by said actuating members in said operativeposition during the rotating movement of said second supportingelementi; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electricmoving means so that said electric moving means move said counter rollto said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to saidcircuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to saidprinting roll and to said second supporting element for moving the samein timed relation whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions areprinted on a sheet passing between said rolls.

5. In a printing appparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable relative to said stationary supportingelement and about an axis of rotation substantially in the center ofsaid stationary supporting element; a set of actuating members mountedon said rotary supporting element for independent movement between aninoperative position and an operative position, said actuating membersin said operative position being located along a circular path havingthe center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supportingelement, each of said actuating members being associated with a portionof said printing form; a stationary support; a set of control elementsmounted on said support for independent movement between an inoperativeposition and a position of engagement with said actuating members andspaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said yactuatingmembers so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting elementrelative to said stationary support said control elem-ents are in linewith corresponding actuating members for selectively moving saidactuating members into said operative position; a normal- 12 ly openswitch member mounted on said stationary supporting element andprojecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable toa circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closingposition by said actuating members engaging said switch member in saidoperative position during the rotation of said rotary supportingelement; circuit means connecting said Vswitch member with said electricmoving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter rollto said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to saidcircuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to saidprinting roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating thesame whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding toselected control members and actuating members in operative positionsare printedon a sheet passing between said rolls. i

6. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a'frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to Ysaid frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element,

each of said actuating members being associated with a portion of saidprinting form; a stationary cincular support; a set of control elementsmounted on said circular support for independent movement between aninoperative position and a position of engagement with said actuatingmembers and spaced from'each other at the same angular intervals as saidactuating'members so that in a position of rest of said rotarysupporting element relative to said stationary circular support saidcontrol elements are radially in line with corresponding actuatingmembers for selectively moving said actuating members into saidoperative positionfsaid control elements including manually operatedmeans for causing said independent movement; a normally open switchmember mounted on said stationary supporting element and projecting intosaid `circular path, said switch member being movable` to a circuitclosing position and being moved to said circuit closing position bysaid actuating members in said operative position during the rotation ofsaid rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switchmember with said electric moving means so that said electric movingmeans moves said counter roll to said operating position wheneversaidrswitch member is moved to said circuit closing position; and drivemeans operatively connected to said printing ro-ll and to said rotarysupporting element for rotating the same whereby selected portions ofsaid printing form corresponding to selected control members andactuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passingbetween said rolls.

7. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, sai-dcounter roll having an axis parallel to ,that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in -said axis of rotation ofsaid rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating membersincluding disengageable locking means for being held in said operativeposition during the rotation of said second supporting element; astationary circular support; a set of control elements mounted on saidcircular support for' independent movement between an inoperativeposition and a position of engagement with said actuating members andspaced from each other at the same angular intervals as said actuatingmembers so that in a position of rest of said rotary supporting elementrelative to said stationary circular support said control elements areradially in line with corresponding actuating members for selectivelymoving said actuating members into said operative position; a normallyopen switch member mounted on said stationary supporting element aridprojecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable toa circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closingposition by said actuating members in said operative position during therotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit means connectingsaid switch member with said electric moving means so that said electricmoving means moves said counter roll to said operating .positionwhenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closing position;and drive means operatively connected to said printing roll and to saidrotary supporting element for rotating the same whereby selectedportions of said printing form corresponding to selected control membersand actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheetpassing between said rolls.

8. In a printing apparatus, in combinatiom'a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet 'passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel tothat of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; release means mountedon said frame and movable between an inoperative and an operativeposition, said release means projecting in its operative position intosaid circular path of said actuating members for moving them back intotheir inoperative position; a stationary circular support; a set ofcontrol elements mounted on said circular support for independentmovement between an inoperative position and a position of engagementwith said actuating members and spaced from each other at the sameangular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position ofrestof said rotary supporting element relative to said stationary circularsupport said control elements are radially in line with correspondingactuating members for selectively moving said actuating members intosaid operative position; a normally open switch member mounted on saidstationary supporting element and projecting into said circular path,said switch member being movable to a circuit closing position and beingmoved to said circuit closing position by said actuating members in saidoperative position during the rotation of said rotary supportingelement; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electricmoving means so that said electric moving means moves said counter rollto said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to saidcircuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to saidprinting roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating thesame whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding toselected control members and actuating members in operative positionsare printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

9. ln a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to haveprinting form. fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the saine to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about `an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of anlgularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactrating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary circularsupport; a set of control elements mounted on said circular support forindependent movement between an inoperative position and a position ofengagement with said actuating members and spaced from each other at thesame angular intervals as `said actuating members so that in a positionof rest of said rotary supporting element relative to said stationarycircular support said control elements are radially in line withcorresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuatingmembers into said operative position; a normally open switch membermounted on said stationary supporting element and protecting into saidcircular path,rsaid switch member being movabie to a circuit closingposition and being moved to said circuit closing position by saidactuating members in said operative position during the rotation of saidrotary supporting element; switch locking means mounted on said frameand movable from an inoperative to an operative position, said switchlocking means engaging said switch means for causing in its operativeposition said switch means to remain in closed position during therotation of said rotary supporting element in order to cause saidcounter roll to remain in its operative position with respect to saidprinting roll; circuit means connecting said switch member with saidelectric moving means so that said electric moving means moves saidcounter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member ismoved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting elementfor rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected control memb rs and actuating members inoperative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

10. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position and an operativeposition and adapted to be manually shifted 'between said positions,said actuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a normally open switchmember mounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting intosaid circular path, said switch member being movable to a circuitclosing position and being moved to said circuit closing position bysaid actuating members Iin said operative position engaging said switchmember during the rotation of said second supporting element; contactmeans arranged on said rotary supporting member and electricallyconnected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried bysaid stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with saidcontact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact meanswith said electric moving means so that said electric moving means movesaid counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch memberis moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting elementfor rotating the same in timed relation whereby selected portions ofsaid printing form corresponding to selected actuating members inoperative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

11. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheetv passing between Said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position and an operativeposition, said actuating members in said operative position beinglocated along a circular path having the center thereof in said axis ofrotation of said rotary supporting element, each of said actuatingmembers being associated with a portion of said printing form, saidactuating members including manually -operated means for effectingmovement thereof between said positions; a normally open switch membermounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into saidcircular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closingposition and being moved to said circuit closing position by saidactuating members in said operative position engaging said switch memberduring the rotation of said second supporting element; contact meansarranged on said rotary support- 16 ing member and electricallyconnected with said switch means; stationary contact means carried bysaid stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with saidcontact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact meanswith said electric moving means so that said electric moving means movesaid counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch memberis moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting elementfor rotating the same whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions areprinted on a sheet passing between said rolls.

12. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within Said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position and an operativeposition and adapted tobe manually shifted between said positions, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; release means mountedon said rotary supporting element and movable between an inoperative andan operative position, said release means projecting in its operativeposition into said circular path of said actuating means for moving themback into their inoperative position; a normally open switch membermounted on said rotary supporting element and projecting into saidcircular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closingposition and being moved to said circuit closing position by saidactuating members engaging said switch member in said operative positionduring the rotation of said second supporting element; contact meansarranged on said rotary supporting member and electrically connectedwith said switch means; stationary contact means carried by saidstationary supporting element and in electrical contact with saidcontact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact meanswith said electric moving means so that said electric moving means movesaid counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch memberis moved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said rotary supporting elementfor rotating the same in timed relation whereby selected portions ofsaid printing form corresponding to selected actuating members inoperative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

13. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting `elementand `about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of sai 'lstationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said stationary supporting element, each actuatingmember being movable between an inoperative position and an operativeposition and adapted to be manually shifted between said positions, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said`rotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form, said actuating membersincluding disengageable locking means normally engaging said stationarysupporting element for holding the respective actuating element in saidoperative position during the rotation of said rotary supportingelement; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supportingelement and projecting into said circular path, said switch member`being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved to saidcircuit closing position by said actuating members engaging said switchmember in Said operative position during the rotation of said secondsupporting element; contact means arranged on said rotary supportingmember and electrically connected with said switch means; stationarycontact means carried by said stationary supporting element and inelectrical contact `with said Contact `means and circuit meansconnecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving meansso that Asaid electric moving means move said counter roll to said`operating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuitclosing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printingroll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same intimed relation whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions areprinted on a sheet passing between said rolls.

14. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to `and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet `passing `between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to `that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to .said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a `rotarysupporting element turnable about an axis of rotation perpendicular tosaid stationary supporting element; a set of angularly `spaced actuatingmembers `mounted onsaid rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular arc having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of `said printing form; a stationary support;`a set of control elements mounted on said stationarysupport along acircular arc of the same radius as said arc of said actuating membersfor independent movement between an inoperative position and a positionof engagement with said actuating members and angularly spaced from eachother at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so that ina position of said `rotary supporting element relative to saidstationary supporting element said control elements are in line withcorresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuatingmembers into said operativeposition; a normally open switch membermounted onsaid stationary supporting element and projecting into thecircular path of said actuating members, said -switch member beingmovable to a circuit closing posij tion andbeing moved to said circuitclosing position by said actuating members in said operative positionduring' the rotation of said rotary supporting element; circuit meansconnecting said swii t member with said electric moving means so thatsaid electric moving means moves said counter roll to said operatingposition whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closingposition; and drive means operatively connected to said printing rolland to said rotary supporting element for rotating the same wherebyselected portions of said printing form corresponding to selectedactuating members in opetative jiositions are printed on a sheet passingbetween rolls.

l5. ln a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by `said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a co'ntcr roll carried by said frame formovement to om an operating position in close proximity to said i ringroll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, said counter rollhaving an axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical movingmeans operatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same toand from said operating position thereof; a stationary supportingelement attached to said trame; a rotary supporting element turnableabout an axis of rotation perpendicular to said stationary supportingelement and extending in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation ofsaid printing roll; a set of angularly spaced actuating members mountedon said rotary supporting element for independent movement between aninoperative position and an operative position, said actuating membersin said operative position being located along `a circular arc havingthe center thereof in said axis of rotation of said rotary supportingelement, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portionof said printing form; a stationary support; a set of control elementsmounted on said stationary support along a circular arc of the sameradius as said arc of said actuating members for independent movementbetween an inoperative position and a position of engagement with saidactuating members and angularly spaced from each other at the saineangular intervals as said actuating members so that in a position ofsaid rotary supporting element relative to said stationary supportingelement said control elements are in line with corresponding actuatingmembers for selectively moving said actuating members into saidoperative position; a. normally open switch member mounted on saidstationary supporting `element and projecting into the circular path ofsaid actuating members, said switch member being movable to a circuitclosing position and being moved to said circuit closing position bysaid actuating members in said operative position during the rotation ofsaid rotary supporting element; circuit means connecting said switchmember with said .electric moving means so that said Velectric movingmeans moves said counter roll'to said operating position whenever saidswitch member is moved to` said circuit closing position; and drivemeans operatively connected to said printing roll and to said rotarysupporting clement for rotating the same and including means fortransmitting the drive through an angle from said printing roll to saidrotary supporting element whereby selected portions ot said printingform corresponding to selected actuating members in operative positionsare printed pn a sheet passing between said rolls.

l6. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable about an axis ofrotation perpendicular tosaid stationary supporting element; a set of angularly spaced actuatingmembers mounted on said rotary supporting element for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular arc having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidrotary supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a stationary support; aset of control elements mounted on said stationary support along "acircular arc of the same radius as said arc of said actuating membersfor independent movement between van inoperative position and a positionof engagement with said actuating members and angularly spaced from each-other at the same angular intervals as said actuating members so thatin a position of said rotary supporting element relative to saidstationary supporting element said control elements are in line withcorresponding actuating members for selectively moving said actuatingmembers into said operative position; a rotary control member turnableabout said axis of rotation and including an actuating element movablealong a circular path located between said set of actuating members andsaid set of control elements; windable spring means engaging said rotarycontrol member and said second supporting element and tending to turnsaid rotary control member in a direction opposite to the rotation ofsaid rotary supporting element, means for winding said spring and meansfor holding said rotary control member in a selected position againstthe action of said spring, and release means mounted on said frame,movable from an inoperative to an operative position and projecting intothe path of said holding means for moving the latter into a positionpermitting said rotary control member to move under the action of saidspring and to actuate a selected actuating member; a normally openswitch member mounted on said stationary supporting element andprojecting into the circular path of said actuating members, said switchmember being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved tosaid circuit closing position by said actuating members in saidoperative position during the rotation of said rotary supportingelement; circuit means connecting said switch member with said electricmoving means so that ysaid electric moving means moves said counter rollto said operating position whenever said switch member is moved to saidcircuit closing position; and drive means operatively connected to saidprinting roll and to said rotary supporting element for rotating thesame whereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding toselected actuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheetpassing between said rolls.

17. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form iixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame for-movement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a firstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis ofrotation relative to said lirst supporting element; a set of actuatingmembers mounted on one of said supporting elements for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position; saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidsecond supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a control membershiftable between an initial position and a plurality of displacedpositions relative to said one of said Vsupporting elements, saidcontrol member shifting during movement from said initial position toany of said displaced positions a different number of said actuating`members from an inoperative position to said operative position; meansfor connecting said control member-in each of said positions thereof tosaid one supporting element for rotation with said one supportingelement; means for shifting said control member from said initialposition to a different displaced position at the end of each revolutionof said one supporting element, whereby a different number of actuatingmembers is operative during each revolution of said printing roll; aVnormally open switch member mounted on the other supporting element andprojecting into said circular path, said switch member being movable to.a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closingposition by said actuating members in said operative position during therotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit meansconnecting said switch member with said electric moving means so thatsaid electric moving means move said counter roll to said operatingposition whenever said switch member is moved to said circuit closingposition; and drive means operatively connected to said printing rolland to said second supporting element for moving the same wherebyselected portions of said printing form corresponding to selectedactuating members in operative positions are printed on a sheet passingbetween said rolls. t

18. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a firstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an axis ofrotation relative to said first supporting element; a set of actuatingmembers mounted on one of said supporting elements for independentmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position, saidactuating members in said operative position being located along acircular path having the center thereof in said axis of rotation of saidsecond supporting element, each of said actuating members beingassociated with a portion of said printing form; a control membershiftable between an initial position and a plurality of displacedpositions relative to said one of said supporting elements, said controlmember shifting during movement from said initial position to any ofsaid displaced positions a different number of said actuating membersfrom an inoperative position to said operative position; means urgingsaid control member from said initial position to said displacedpositions; means locking said control member in each of said positions;means for connecting said control member in each of said positionsthereof to said one supporting element for rotation with said onesupporting element; means for releasing said locking means for freeingsaid control member for movement from said initial position to adifferent displaced position; means for shifting said control memberfrom said initial position to a different displaced position at the endof each revolution of said one supporting element, whereby said controlmember moves into temporary engagement with said actuating members forshifting them into an operative position so that a different number ofactuating members is operative during each revolution of said printingroll; a normally open switch member mounted on the other supportingelement and projecting into said circular path, said switch member beingmovable to a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuitclosing position by said actuating members in said operative posi- `tionduring the rotating `movement of said second sup- Porting' clement;circuit means connecting said switch member with said electric movingmeans so that said electric moving means move said `counter roll to saidoperatingposition wheneversaid switch member is moved to `said circuitclosing position; and drive `means operatively connected to saidprinting -roll and to said second supporting element for moving the samewhereby selected portions of said printing form corresponding toselected actuating members `in operative .positions are printed on asheet passing between said rolls. 19. In' a printing apparatus, incombination, a frame; a 'printing .troll c arriedfor .rotation ,aboutits axis by said frame and adapted to havea printing form fixed thereto;a` counter roll `carriedby said frame `for movement `to and Vfrom anoperating .position in .close proximity to said printing roll ,forprinting a sheet passing between said rolls, said Ycounter .roll havingan axis parallel to that of said printing roll; electrical moving meansoperatively connected to said counter roll for moving the same to and:from said operating position thereof; a first supporting element and a.second supporting element mounted on said frame, said second supportingelement being turnable about an axis of rotation relative to said firstsupporting element, said secon'd supporting element having its axis ofrotation extending parallel with the axis of rotation of said printingroll; a set of actuating members mounted on one of said supportingelements, each actuating member being movable between an inoperativeposition and an operative position and adapted to be manually shiftedbetween said positions, said actuating members in said operativeposition being located along a circular path having the center thereofin said axis of rotation of said second supporting element, each of saidactuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form;a normally open switch member mounted on the other supporting elementand projecting into said circular path, said switch member being movableto a circuit closing position and being moved to said circuit closingposition by said actuating members in said operative position engagingsaid switch member during the rotating movement of said secondsupporting element; circuit means connecting said switch member withsaid electric moving means so that said electric moving means move saidcounter roll to said operating position whenever said switch member ismoved to said circuit closing position; and drive means operativelyconnected to said printing roll and to said second supporting elementfor moving the same in timed relation whereby selected portions of saidprintin'g form corresponding to selected actuating members in operativepositions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

20. In a printing apparatus, in combination', a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting form xed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in' close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; a rstsupporting element and a second supporting element mounted on saidframe, said second supporting element being turnable about an' axis ofrotation relative to said iirst Supporting element, said secondsupporting element having its axis of rotation extending transverse tothe axis of rotation of said printing roll; a set of actuating meinbersmounted on one of said supportin'g elements, each actuating member beingmovable between an inoperative position and an operative position andadapted to be manually shifted between said positions, said actuatingmembers in' said operative position being located along a circular pathhaving the center thereof in said axis of rotation of said secondsupporting element, each of said `actuating members being associatedwith a portion cf said `printing form; a normally open switch membermounted on the other supporting element and projecting into saidcircular path, said switch member being movable to a circuit closingposition and being moved `to said circuit closing position by saidactuating members in Said operative position engaging said switch memberduring the rotating movement of said second supporting element; circuit`means `connecting said `switch member with 44said electric moving meansAso that said `electric moving means move said counter roll to saidoperating position whenever said switch `member is moved to said circuitclosing position; and drive means operatively connected to said printingroll and `to said second supporting element for moving the same in timedrelation whereby selected portions ot said printing form correspondingto selected actuating members in operative positions are printed on asheet passing between said rolls.

2i. in a printing apparatus, in combination, a `frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have `aprinting form fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turntable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element and being connected to said printing rollfor synchronous rotation; a set of actuating members mounted on saidstationary supporting element, each actuating member being movablebetween an inoperative position and an operative position, each of saidactuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form,said actuating members including manually operated means for etfectingmovement thereof between said positions; a normally open switch membermounted on said rotary supporting element for rotation synchronouslywith said printing roll, said switch member being movable to a circuitclosing position and being moved to said circuit closing position bysaid actuating members in said operative position engaging said switchmember during the rotation of said second supporting element; contactmeans arranged on said rotary supporting member and electricallyconnected With said switch means; stationary contact means carried bysaid stationary supporting element and in electrical contact with saidcontact means and circuit means connecting said stationary contact meanswith said electric moving means so that said electric moving means movesaid counter roll to said operating position whenever said switch memberis moved to said circuit closing position, whereby selected portions ofsaid printing form corresponding to selected actuating members inoperative positions are printed on a sheet passing between said rolls.

22. In a printing apparatus, in combination, a frame; a printing rollcarried for rotation about its axis by said frame and adapted to have aprinting forni fixed thereto; a counter roll carried by said frame formovement to and from an operating position in close proximity to saidprinting roll for printing a sheet passing between said rolls, saidcounter roll having an axis parallel to that of said printing roll;electrical moving means operatively connected to said counter roll formoving the same to and from said operating position thereof; astationary circular supporting element attached to said frame; a rotarysupporting element turnable within said stationary supporting elementand about an axis of rotation substantially in the center of saidstationary supporting element and being connected to said printing rollfor synchronous rotation; a set of actuating members mounted on said 23stationary supporting element, each actuating member being movablebetween an inoperative position and an operative position, each of saidactuating members being associated with a portion of said printing form,said actuating members including manually operated means for effectingmovement thereof between said positions, said actuating members and saidmanually operated-means being arranged for being operated and operatingin radial direction with respect to the axis of said rotary supportingelement; a normally open switch member mounted on said rotary supportingelement for rotation synchronously with said printing roll, said switchmember being movable to a circuit closing position and being moved tosaid circuit closing position by said actuating members in saidoperative position engaging said switch member during the rotation-'ofsaid second supporting element; contact means arranged on said rotarysupporting member and electrically connected with said switch means;stationary contact means carried by said stationary supporting elementand in electrical contact with said contact means and circuit meansconnecting said stationary contact means with said electric moving meansso that said electric moving means move said counter roll to saidoperating position whenever said switch member is moved to said circuitclosing position, whereby selected portions of said printing formcorresponding to selected actuating members in operative positions areprinted on a sheet passing between said rolls.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSv2,210,021 Breitling Aug-6, l1940 2,491,369 Ford Dec. 13, `1949 2,536,276Gretchikhine Jan. 2, 1-951 2,722,885 Keil NOV. 8, 1955 2,753,791Thurmann' 1 .July l0', 1956 2,758,539 Ritzerfeld' Aug,` 1l, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS l 633,097 France Ian. 20, 1928 698,203

Great Britain Oct. 7, 1953

